Who are the Dolphins players in danger of being cut?

While last week’s game against the Ravens was generally known as the most important preseason game of the year, the fourth preseason game against the Falcons is more critical for the Dolphins reserve players.

Many players are locks to make the Dolphins roster, and there are some that probably know they stand little chance to be named to the 53-man team on Saturday afternoon. Then there’s a small group of players who are on the bubble entering Thursday’s game.

Leonte Carroo, Brock Osweiler, Kendall Langford, Issac Asiata and maybe Tony Lippett are just some of the players on that probably need to have standout games if they want to be on the Dolphins final roster.

“I think, really, for him, a lot of times it’s just been the consistency,” Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said about Carroo. “When he has opportunities, take advantage of it. When you end up starting a game, which has happened a few times in the last couple of years, how are you going to impact the game? It might not be catching the ball. It might be blocking. It might be doing your job right to where you spring somebody else free. Just the little tiny details of being a complete wide receiver. Sometimes when you are a younger player, it doesn’t always go as smooth as you want it to go. It’s not college to where you can make an impact right away.”

Carroo missed last week’s game against the Ravens due to a groin injury. In 2016, the Dolphins traded up to select Carroo in the third round, and the former Rutgers player hasn’t done much to show he deserves a spot on the roster.

In 28 career games, Carroo has just 10 career catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. With the Dolphins depth at the receiver spot, Carroo likely finds himself on the outside looking in.

Osweiler, Langford, Asiata, and Lippett are all borderline selections for the 53-man roster. The Dolphins signed Langford two weeks ago off the street. He has played some in the last two preseason games, but the Dolphins have a lot of depth on their defensive line.

Osweiler is in a battle with David Fales to see who will be the Dolphins backup quarterback. While neither player has been impressive, Fales appears to have the leg up in the battle at the moment.

“It’s not really up to me to make that decision of where I sit on the depth chart,” Osweiler said. “It’s just up to me to each day compete on the practice field, to work hard in the meeting rooms and really just be the best quarterback and teammate I can be.”

As for Lippett, the Dolphins know what kind of player he can be as he led the team in interceptions in 2016. The problem is, Lippett suffered a torn Achilles last year and isn’t close to 100 percent. He was also sidelined with a foot injury for almost two weeks during training camp this year.

“We’ve got this game coming up, which will be good,” Gase said. “We’ll try to give him as many snaps as possible. I know in practice we’re trying to do the same thing and just keep him … encouraging him to challenge receivers, use his length, do all the things that he’s done in the past. Really, this game will be a great test for him to really go out there and challenge and play as many snaps as we can get him in there. Hopefully, it’s a high number so when we get out of this game we have a really good sense where he’s at.”

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